China Sends Mice to Space: All Four Return Safely

Kathmandu, 16 November — Four mice shipped to China's space station have returned safely to Earth on Friday, a major stride in China's continuing space research program. The Chinese Academy of Sciences said the mice were part of the ninth batch of biological and scientific samples sent for experiments in space. Chinese scientists retrieved the mice for studies of their behavior and major physiological and biochemical indicators after their return to learn how living organisms adapt to the extreme conditions of space.

Three astronauts-Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang-participated in the space mission, which also included a series of experiments with the mice. The researchers will study stress responses and early adaptation changes in the mice to help elucidate the biological effects of microgravity and space flight.

Of the four mice, two were male and two were female. Preliminary observations reported by Chinese media indicate that while the mice consumed less food in space, they drank considerably more water. The mice had been chosen as "space mice" out of 300 candidates after more than 60 days of arduous training to prepare them for the extreme conditions of space. They were sent up to the space station at the beginning of November and stayed in orbit for more than ten days before returning safely to Earth on Friday.

The Global Times, citing research on this mission, said the results are expected to contribute significantly to future space applications, such as developing high-performance solar cell protective materials, radiation-resistant optical fibers, and manufacturing processes for construction materials in lunar bases. It will also lay a critical theoretical and technical foundation for satellite communication systems and support more space exploration in the coming years.

This mission demonstrates China's continued commitment to progressing its space science and biotechnology capabilities, providing valuable data that would be essential for planning both human and robotic missions beyond Earth. The successful return of mice on board is a key milestone in understanding the prolonged effects of space travel on living organisms and could potentially pave the way for more complex biological experiments in orbit.